Abstract: A system and method for simultaneous construction of a corresponding CAD model and physical model, wherein the CAD model comprises a plurality of CAD representations each corresponding to a physical component part that is used to construct the physical model. During construction of a physical model using individual component parts, the CAD system can identify a given component part and retrieve its CAD representation from a CAD library. In addition, the CAD system allows the user to build a CAD representation of a given component part if its CAD representation is not stored in the CAD library. After the CAD representation of the component part is generated, the CAD system will track the motion (position and orientation) of the part as it is maneuvered into a desired position in the physical model. The position and orientation, as well as the CAD representation of the component part as it exists in the physical model is saved in a CAD model database.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a display screen having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data. A light source is provided for generating light of predetermined intensity, and a circular Fresnel lens is disposed between the light source and the display means, the circular Fresnel lens imaging the light source through the display means and onto an opposite side of the display means. A diffuser is disposed between the light source and the display means for diffusing the light. The intensity of the light source is selected to be appropriate for direct human viewing of the transmissive data.